116 

1893 

MAIN 


THE 

Letter  of  Columbus 


Claflis 


LENOX   LIBRARY   REPRINT 


THE 

Letter  of  Columbus 

on  the  Discovery  of 

AMERICA 


A  Facsimile  Reprint  of  the  Pictorial  Edition  of  1493, 
with  a  Literal  Translation,  and  an  Introduction 


PRINTED    BY    ORDER    OF    THE    TRUSTEES    OF    THE 
LENOX    LIBRARY 

Second  JEMtfon 


NEW-YORK,   M   DCCC  XCIII 


E- 

\' 


COPYRIGHT,  1892, 
BY  THE  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  LENOX  LIBRARY. 


The  present  facsimile  of  one  of  the  Columbus 
Letters  belonging  to  the  Lenox  Library  is  published 
by  the  Trustees  at  this  time  #$  an  appropriate  tribute 
to  the  memory  of  the  great  discoverer. 

JOHN  5.  KENNEDY, 

President. 
New-York,  CMay  i,  1893. 


51 


INTRODUCTION. 

THE  letter  of  Columbus  giving  the  earliest  informa 
tion  of  his  great  discovery  was  first  printed  in 
Spanish  at  Barcelona  in  April,  1493.  It  was  immedi 
ately  translated  into  Latin  and  sent  to  Rome  for  publi 
cation,  where  it  appeared  in  at  least  three  editions,  and 
was  reprinted  at  Basle,  Paris,  and  Antwerp.  One  of 
the  rarest  and  most  interesting  of  these  is  the  pictorial 
edition,  complete  in  ten  leaves,  which  is  reproduced 
here  in  exact  facsimile,  accompanied  by  a  literal  trans 
lation.  The  curious  woodcuts  with  which  it  is  illus 
trated  are  supposed  by  some  to  have  been  copied  from 
drawings  made  originally  by  Columbus  himself.  They 
give  remarkable  representations  of  the  admiral's  own 
caravel,  of  his  first  landing  on  Hayti  and  meeting  with 
the  natives,  and  of  the  different  islands  which  he  visited. 
The  memorable  voyage  which  this  letter  describes 
lasted  two  hundred  and  twenty-four  days,  from  the  3d 
of  August,  1492,  when  Columbus  sailed  from  the  har 
bor  of  Palos  on  the  southern  coast  of  Spain,  with  three 
small  caravels  and  about  ninety  men,  to  the  1 5th  of 
March,  1493,  when  he  returned  in  a  single  vessel  to 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

the  same  port.  Nine  days  after  leaving  Palos  he 
reached  the  Canary  Islands,  where  he  remained  until 
the  6th  of  September,  taking  in  provisions  and  making 
other  preparations.  On  the  8th,  after  lying  becalmed 
for  two  days,  he  left  these  islands,  and  steered  his  way 
directly  across  the  Atlantic,  with  the  expectation  of 
reaching  India  or  China.  On  the  morning  of  Friday, 
the  1 2th  of  October,  corresponding  to  the  present  2ist 
of  October,  he  came  in  sight  of  one  of  the  Bahama 
Islands,  where  he  landed  and  took  possession  in  the 
names  of  the  Spanish  sovereigns.  On  the  i5th  he 
visited  another  island,  which  he  named  Santa  Maria 
de  la  Concepcion;  on  the  following  day  he  reached 
the  island  Fernandina;  and  on  the  igth,  Isabella. 
Supposing  that  he  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cipango 
or  Japan,  he  sailed  toward  the  south,  and  on  the  28th 
of  October  landed  on  Cuba,  which  he  named  Juana. 
Here  he  remained,  exploring  the  northeast  coast,  until 
December  5th,  when  he  sailed  over  to  Hayti,  called  by 
him  Espanola.  After  exploring  the  northern  shore  of 
this  island,  where  he  lost  his  own  vessel  by  shipwreck 
on  the  24th,  he  sailed  in  the  Nina  for  Spain  on  the 
1 6th  of  January,  1493,  reaching  the  Azores  on  the 
1 8th  of  February,  Lisbon  on  the  4th  of  March,  and 
Palos  on  the  i5th  of  the  same  month. 

The  following  list  comprises  all  the  editions  and 


INTRODUCTION.  Vll 

translations  of  the  Columbus  letter  known  to  have  been 
printed  before  the  year  1500  :  — 

(1)  The  original  folio  edition  in  Spanish,  addressed 
to  the  "  Escribano  de  Racion,"  Luis  de  Santangel,  and 
supposed  to  have  been  printed  at  Barcelona  in  April, 
1493.     It  is   complete   in   two   leaves  or  four  pages. 
The  only  known  copy,  now  in  the  Lenox  Library,  was 
discovered  only  a  few  years  ago  in  Spain. 

(2)  The  quarto  edition  in  Spanish,  also  addressed  to 
the  "  Escribano  de  Racion,"  and  containing  four  leaves 
or  eight  pages.     It  was  probably  printed  in  Spain,  in 
1493.     The  only  known  copy  was  discovered  about 
thirty  years  ago  in  the  Biblioteca  Ambrosiana  at  Milan. 
A  facsimile  by  photozincography,  made   from  an  in 
accurate  hand-tracing  of  this  copy,  was  published  at 
Milan  in  1866,  and  from  this  facsimile  several  recent 
forgeries  seem  to  have  been  copied. 

(3)  The   edition  in   Latin  with   King    Ferdinand's 
name  alone  in  the  title,  described  by  Mr.  Harrisse  as 
No.  i  of  his  list,  and  by  Mr.  Major  as  No.  3.     It  is  in 
four  leaves  or  eight  pages,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  printed  at  Rome  by  Stephen  Plannck,  in   1493. 
A  copy  is  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(4)  The  edition  in  Latin  with  the  names  of  Ferdi 
nand  and  Isabella  in  the  title,  described  by  Mr.  Har 
risse  as  No.  4,  and  by  Mr.  Major  as  No.  i,  of  their 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

respective  lists.  In  other  respects  it  is  almost  identical 
with  the  preceding,  page  for  page  and  line  for  line,  and 
probably  was  printed  at  Rome  by  Plannck,  in  1493. 
The  Lenox  Library  possesses  a  copy. 

(5)  The    edition    in    Latin   printed    at    Rome    by 
Eucharius  Argenteus,  or  Silber,  in  1493,  complete  in 
three  leaves  or  six  pages.     A  copy  is  in  the  Lenox 
Library. 

(6)  The  pictorial  edition  in  Latin,  reproduced  here 
in  facsimile  from  the  original  in  the  Lenox  Library, 
which  is  the  only  perfect  copy  known.     As  the  same 
woodcuts  appear  in  a  reprint  appended  to  the  drama 
of  Carolus  Verardus,  published  by  Bergmann  de  Olpe 
at  Basle  in  1494,  it  is  supposed  that  this  edition  was 
also  printed  at  Basle,  by  the  same  printer,  in  1493. 

(7)  The  edition  in  Latin  entitled  Epistola  de  insulis 
repertis  de  noiw,  printed  at  Paris  by  Guyot  Marchand, 
probably  in  1493.     It  is  in  four  leaves  or  eight  pages, 
and  contains  only  the  name  of  Ferdinand  in  the  title. 
Two  copies  are  known,  one  in  the  Royal  Library  at 
Turin,  the   other  in  the   University  Library  at   Got- 
tingen. 

(8)  The  edition  in  Latin  entitled  Epistola  de  insulis 
de  nouo  repertis,  printed  at  Paris  by  Guyot  Marchand, 
in  1493  or  1494.     It  is  evidently  a  reprint  of  the  pre 
ceding,  with  which  it  agrees  in  the  number  of  the 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

leaves,  and  in  containing  only  the  name  of  King  Fer 
dinand  in  the  title.  Only  two  copies  are  known,  one 
in  the  John  Carter  Brown  Library  at  Providence,  R.  I., 
and  the  other  (imperfect)  in  the  National  Library  at 
Paris.  A  facsimile  is  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(9)  The  edition  in  Latin  entitled  Epistola  de  insults 
notiitcr  repertis,  printed  at  Paris  by  Guyot  Marchand, 
in  1493  or  1494.     It  is  also  in  four  leaves,  and  agrees 
closely  with  the  two  preceding.     Two  copies  only  are 
known,  both  in  the  Bodleian  Library  at  Oxford.     A 
facsimile  is  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(10)  The  edition  in  Latin  beginning  Epistola  Cris- 
tophori  Colom,  supposed  to  have  been  printed  at  Ant 
werp  by  Thierry  Martens,  in  1493  or  1494.     It  contains 
only  the  name  of  Ferdinand  in  the  title,  and  is  in  four 
leaves.     The  only  known  copy  is  in  the  Royal  Library 
at  Brussels. 

( 1 1 )  The  pictorial  edition  in  Latin  appended  to  the 
drama  of  Verardus,  published  by  Bergmann  de  Olpe 
at   Basle   in    1494.     It  is   evidently  a  reprint   of  the 
separate  pictorial  edition,  already  described.     There  is 
a  copy  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(12)  The   edition   in    Italian   verse   entitled    Storia 
della  inventione  delle  nuoue  insule  di  Chanaria  indiane, 
printed   at   Rome  on  the   i5th  of  June,   1493.     The 
version  was  made  by  Giuliano   Dati.     The  discovery 


TTT- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

of  the  only  known  copy  was  announced  recently  by 
Mr.  Harrisse. 

(13)  The  edition  in  Italian  verse  entitled  Questa  e 
la  hystoria  della  inuentide  delle  diese  hole  di  Cannaria 
Indiane,  printed  at  Florence  on  the  25th  of  October, 
1493,  in  four  leaves,  being  a  reprint  of  the  preceding. 
The  only  known  copy,  lacking  the  second  and  third 
leaves,  is  in  the  library  of  the  British  Museum.     A  fac 
simile  is  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(14)  The  edition  in  Italian  verse  entitled  La  lettera 
dellisole  che   ha    trouato  nitouamente  il  Re   dispagna, 
printed  at  Florence  on  the  26th  of  October,  1493.     It 
is  another  edition  of  the  preceding.     The  only  known 
copy,  complete  in  four  leaves,  is  in  the  library  of  the 
British  Museum.     A  facsimile  is  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

(15)  The    edition    in    Italian    verse    entitled    hole 
Trouate  Nouamente  Per  El  Re  di  Spagna,  printed  at 
Florence,  and  dated  26th  of  October,  1495.     It  is  in 
four  leaves.     The  only  known  copy  is  in  the  Biblioteca 
Trivulziana  at  Milan. 

(16)  The  edition  in  Italian  verse  entitled  La  lettera 
dellisole  che   ha    trouato   nuonamente  el  Re  dispagna, 
printed  at  Florence,  and  dated  26th  of  October,  1495. 
The  only  known  copy,  complete  in  four  leaves,  is  in  a 
private  library  in  New- York. 

(17)  The  edition  in  German  printed  at  Strasburg  by 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

Bartholomew  Kiistler,  in  1497,  in  seven  leaves.     There 
is  a  copy  in  the  Lenox  Library. 

Besides  the  printed  editions  mentioned  above,  there 
are  extant  several  manuscript  copies  in  Spanish.  One 
in  the  Archives  of  Simancas,  addressed  to  the  "Escri- 
bano  de  Racion,"  was  printed  by  Navarrete  in  his 
Coleccion  de  Viages  (Madrid,  1825),  Vol.  I,  pp.  167-175. 
It  is  also  described,  and  an  English  synopsis  given,  by 
G.  A.  Bergenroth,  in  the  Calendar  of  Letters ,  Despatches, 
and  State  Papers,  relating  to  the  Negotiations  between 
England  and  Spain  (London,  1862),  Vol.  I,  pp.  43-48. 
Another  manuscript,  in  Spanish,  addressed  to  Don 
Gabriel  Sanchez,  was  discovered  by  Varnhagen  in  the 
CxOlegio  Mayor  at  Cuenca,  and  published  by  him  at 
Valencia  in  1858.  Columbus  also  made  a  full  report 
of  his  voyage  in  the  form  of  a  diary,  which  he  sent  to 
the  Spanish  sovereigns.  The  original  of  this  has  not 
been  found,  but  an  abridgment,  or  synopsis,  made  by 
Bartolome  de  Las  Casas,  is  extant,  and  has  been  printed 
in  Navarrete's  Coleccion.  The  transcript  of  this  manu 
script  which  was  probably  used  by  Munoz  and  Navar 
rete  is  now  in  the  Lenox  Library.  An  English  trans 
lation  of  this  "  Personal  Narrative,"  made  by  Samuel 
Kettell,  was  printed  at  Boston  in  1827. 

WlLBERFORCE    EAMES, 

Assistant  Librarian. 

LENOX  LIBRARY,  May  i,  1893. 


FACSIMILE   OF   THE    LETTER   OF    COLUMBUS. 


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tulera  nullo  it  erucniere  pmiotvt  cos  tmbi  fa^ 
cili°  pciliare:ftcret(5  jcjpicole:i  vt  (Tut  p:oniin 
gmoze  crga  iRcgciRcgina  p:mctpefcp  ttoftroa 
&  viuucrfas  getee  lbifpante:ac  ftudeat  e4^c^ 
re  i  coaceruaretcacfe  nobis  tradcre  4b^ipi  af* 
fluut  ft  nof  magnoge  idigcm°*Tflulla  by  nozut 
ydolatnaumo  firmiffime  crediit  oe5  vim:  oej 
per  cru:  of  a  ociuc^  boita  ciTc  i  celo:  tnecp  irtde 
cu  bis  naiub**  nautif  oefccdiffetats  B  aio  vbe 
fui  fufccptus  poft^  mctu  repuleraMBec  fimt 
fegnes  aut  rude0:qumfummi  ac  cfpicacis  in^ 
gcnijuboiea  qui  trarrflrctat  mare  illfcno  fine 
odimratioc  vuiufcumfqj  ret  ratione  reddunt: 
fed  nu$  videwnt  gentesveftitasme^  nauea 
bmoi  ego  ftatun  arcp  ad  mare  ill6  puem'te  p:i 
ma  infula  quofda  3ndo0  yiolenter  arripui:  4 
cdifceret  a  nobia  w  nos  piter  oocerent  ca:4? 
ipfi  in  bifcc  partibus  cognittone  babebant  *  et 
ocvoto  fucceffitma  breui  noe  ipoe  ?*  by  noa; 
turn  geftu  ac  (Igniettum  verbie  inrellcjcerunt » 
magnocp  nobis  fuere  eraolumcto*  veittunt  m$ 
mecutftquifemp  putant  mepeiriuiflcecelo 
^uis  oiu  nobifcfi  verfati  fuerint  bodiecp  ver* 


fentt  bi  erant  primfc  4  id  qttocuq5  afpeltabfr 
mu0nundabat:alij  oeinceps  alijs  data  vocc 
t>icetco*^lcmtc  venite  i  vidcbitie  getes  erbc 
reas.  fgluaobze  ta  femie  $  viri:  tl  impuberes 
q$  adultittanv  mu^nce  ^fenes ;  dpofita  fo:mi 
tine  paulo  ante  pcepta  :no0  certatim  vifebac 
magna  iter  ftipate  caterua  alije  ctbu/  al^  6  po 
turn  afferentib'tmajtio  cu  amo:c  ac  beniuole^ 
ria  iticredibilulbabj  vnaqueq  >  tttfula  nmltas 
fcapbae  foltdi  ligm:^  (I  anguftaaUongitudine 
tft  ac  fo:ma  noftrte  biremib9  fimilc0:curfu  aut 
velocio:eWRegunf  remis  tantumodo*  Ibaril 
quedi  Tunt  magtterqueda  parue:queda  i  me- 
Dio  p(lftiitiM|lMurc0  tame  biremi  que  remigct 
t>uooeuigititi  tranftrio  maiozeetcu  qb9  itt  ocs 
illad  infulaatque  mttumere  funntraijcif  .cuq  5 
bia  fua  mercatura  ejtrcrcettec  inter  eoe  corner^ 
ria  fumt.2Uiquas  ego  barft  biremium  feu  fca> 
pbaru^vidi  qvebebat  feptuaginta  i  octuagifi 
(a  remigea^ii  otntiib9  bis  infulis  nulla  eft  oi^ 
uerfitaa  inter  genns  effigiee»nulla  in  moabue 
etq5  loquelatqain  oee  fe  tntelhgut  admuice: 
que  red  cutilia  eft  ad  id  qd  fercniffimii  iRcge 
noflru  cjcoptare  p:ecipue  reonfg;  eo#  ad  fan 
(tarn  jcpi  ftdem  puerlione,cui  quide  quantum 
ItcUisere  potut  ftcilimi  funt  i  fni&ijA  quc? 


admodu  fum  ;pgreffu«  antea  m 
g  rectii  tramitc5  occafus  in  onentetn  miliarifr 
cccjtjcij.f  m  quavia  finwalliiitincrts  poflutn 
tncere  bac  5obana  efle  maio:e  Snglia.  a  Sco 
tia  fiFmanq5  vltra  Dicta*ccc]ocij»  paffuu  milta: 
in  ca  ere  q  ad  ocddentc  pfpectat :  oue  :quaa 
non  pctij  :fug  funt  .puincietqua^  alters  ^ndi 
2lnan  vocat:cui°  accole  caudati  nafcuntZ« 
t)unt  in  tonsitudinem  admiliaria*cl]cjcjc»vt  ab 
bi0  4^  vebo  mecu  '5'tdte  gcepi:qui  omte  baa 
callctinfula^lbifpanc  vero  ambit9  matofcft 
to  ta  ib  ifpanu  a  cologna  vfq5  ad  fontc  rabidu 
Ibincqs  facile  arguif  %  qiurtii  ci^  lac*  qd  ipc 
$)  reef  a  linca  occidenn^  in  o:f  ente  traicd;  mill 
ana  priner*oj:Ulxc  infula  e  affecrada  i  affe* 
ct  A  ta  no  fpcrncda  in  qua  1 1T  alia^  oitn  vt  01  ti 
^  tnuictiffimo  lUcgc  nf  o  folenniter  poITeflTio^ 
nem  accepj:earuq5  iiuperiil  oicto  iRegipeni^ 
ruJ3  comi  ttif  u  opoztiwi  on  tn  loco:  atc^  omi  lu 
cro  i  cSmcrtio  pdecentucuiufdainagncville: 
cui  iHatiuitatia  Dfii  npme  ocdtm^:polftffionc 
peculiariter  accepiabiq5  arcem  qu^ndas  eri^ 
gere  ejctemplo  iuffitquc  fnodo  iam  octet  efle 
gactaun  qu^  boies  qui  neceflar^  fiint  vifi:  cii 
omi  armour  genereu  vltra  annfi  vtctu  opozttt 
no  relic} .tye  quada  c ara uclla: ip  alt) 0  pftruc 
pi?  f I  i  Iw  aitc  $  in  ceterl  perirw ; 


9 

irtfulc  iRcgis  erga  noo  bcniuolcntia  i  familia 
mate  incrcdibile.  Su  t  cm  gctes  illc  amabilcs 
a  dmodtt  i  bciugne:  eo  $  iRcic  p  dictuo  rnc  fra 
tretn  fuum  Did  glonabat  *  £  t  fi  ammu  rcuoca 
rcnrtji  bis  4  i  arce  manferut  ttocere  vclmrme 
q  uc  u  t:  q  uia  armis  care  t:nu  di  tccdut:  i  mrnifi 
timid  i.idco  o  tcta  arcctn  tcuctes  :  ou  ram  pfit 
toti  ea  infuli  nullo  ftbi  imminence  oifcriminc 
(oomodo  Icgco  quad  o  cdim9ac  regime  no  cic 
cedat)f>acile  oetincre»5rt  omib^  bi^  uifiilia  vt 
wtcllcu:  quif^vm  cm  piugi  acq  utcfctr  :  peer 
pzinciped  aut  rcgce:  4  buo  rigmti  babcrc  lic$. 
-f  emine  masts  $  v  trt  labozare  vidcuf  :n  ec  be 
rtc  potui  incclligerc  an  babcat  borta  «ppna:v  j 
di  ctn  qd  vn^  babebat  alije  ipartih:pf  tim  oa 


repcri:  vt  picric^  ejciftimabant:  fed  boico  ma^ 
0ne  reueretie  arcp  benigno0»iRec  funt  nigrive 
lut  c  tbio  pco  .bab  ft  crinea  piano  9  ae  oetniflTod 
no  oegunt  vbi  radt  om  fotarid  cmtcat  calo:.  g 
magna  nacp  bic  eft  folid  vcbemcntia:  ppterea 
$  abe4noctiali  linea  oiftat  »  vbi  videtur/gra? 
Duefe^i  viguui  C^montiu  cacummib9  ma^ 
pimfi  q*  vtget  frig^:f5  id  (idem  modcranf  5rt^ 
t)  i:  td  loci  pfuetu  die:  tu  re%  calid  iflftma^  4b* 
f  requeter  t  lujrun  o  fe  vefcunf  p:efid  to  .  ^tacp 
moftra  aliq  no  vidimc^  to$  alicubi  babui  ca 


cupata :  que  fecunda  cjc  Ibifpana  m  3ndtant 
tranflreutibus  criftit.  quam gene  que dam  a 
finitume  babita  f credo:  mcolir\  bi  came  bu* 
manavefcurttlbabcatp:edicrtbiremiiigcrtc 
ra  plurtina:quibue  jin  omtice  ^itdtcas  wfulaa 
trail  ctaitt/oep:edat/furripiutcp  quecflq?  pitt* 
Wtbtl  ab  aiije  oifferunt  mfi  q>  gerunt  moze  fc^ 
mineo  longos  crinee*  yrunfarcub0  er  fpicuto 
arundinei6:fiicia(vt  mpm^in  groffioh  gte  at 
tetiuatie  baftilib^^ideocp  babef  fcroceetqua* 
re  ceterityndi  (ne^baufto  metu  ptectuitmr:  (5 
bos  ego  nibili  facto  plus  q*  alios,  Ibi  funt  qui 
coeuitt  cum  quibufdam  fcmmte:quc  fole  infu 
lam  4fcateimw  pnml  et  Ibifpana  tn  5»tdiatn 
trail  cienttb^  babitant  *lbe  aute  femine  iiulluj 
fui  fejcus  opu0  ejtcrccnttvtiwf  em  arcuM  ^  fpi 
cuf  ficuti  6  cap  piugib9  oiici  muiuut:  Jfefe  lami 
his  cnefo  §£  maytia  ap6  ea^  copia  ejciftit  *aii 
am  mibi  mfula  affirmant  ftip:adicta  Ibifpana 
maio2e:  ei9  incolc  caret  pilie.aurocft  int  alia0 
potiffimu  ejcuberat.lbui*  infule  %  alia^  qs  yt 
oi  bofee  mecu  po:to:4  bo#  q  oijct  teftimoniil 
pbibet«Benic^  vt  nfi  oifceffua  et  celeris  reuer 
fiote  copediu:ac  emolnmetii  b:euib9  aftringS 
B  polliceo::tue  nf  fe  TRegib9  inuicttffimie  puo 
^b?  fulfil  au.tiUo:tanm  aun  oatu$  quantum 


cfe  fticrft  opu&tift  vero  aromawj,  bombicfo* 
tnaftieis(q  apud  Cbium  outajcat  mucni£)taii 
taqj  ligni  aloee.tantum  f  uoy  by  dropbilato* 
ruimquantu  com  maieftas  voluerit  ejrigere » 
jtem  r cubarbaru  i  alia  aromatU3  genera :q  bi 
q  ucs  in  oiaa  arce  reliqui  ia  inucnilTracc^  IIP 
ucnturoo  c]ciftimo«qfTquidem  ego  nulUM  ma* 
gis  futn  moutue  nifi  quanta  me  cotgerur  vfe 
n:p:ctcrq;  in  villalBatiui  carte:  od  arccm  con^ 
cere  i  tuta  omia  effe  p:owdu&tfe  ^  H  tnajtia 
et  inaudita  f  unr :  mulco  tame  maiora  fozcnt  ft 
nauee  mibi  vt  ratio  ejcigit  f ubueralTent. Hez: 
multft  ac  mirabile  bocmec  noflrio  meritis  coz 
re(  jpondee:fed  fancte£b:iftiane  fideimoftro^ 
rumq^  iRegu  pt  et  an  ac  religion! :  quia  qd  bu^ 
m  anu  s  cofcqui  no  poterat  mrellecnioad  bila^ 
me  conceflTit  oiuinua*  Solet  em  oeuo  f  uoe  fa 
csiquics  Tua  pcepta  oiligunetia  i  impoiTibilU 
bus  eraudiretvt  nobie  I  piiria  pttgit:  4  ea  pfc 
cuti  fum'tq  bacten0  moztaliu  virce  mime  atti 
gerat.na  (I  bay  infula^  cjpia  alicidfcpfeft  aut 
locuti  fur:oeo  p  ambages  i  piecturae  nemo  fc 
eas  vidiflfc  aflerit:  vnj>pe  videbaf  fabula  ?gi 
tiir  iftcjc  i:lRegia  pncipea  ac  eo#  regna  felicif 
(Tma:  cuctecp  alte  £b:iftiano$jpmncie  Salua 
to:i  ono  nfo  3^fu)t:po  agam^  gfaetcj  tata  noa 


peraganf  folennia  fatf  a*feftacj$  fronde  velent 
t>elub:a*£]cultet  £b:ift*i  temetqueadmodffi 
mcelisejcttltat:cam  tot  poputomm  pditas  ail 
bac  anima:0  falttatum  iri  paeutdet*  2,e  temur  * 
nos:til  jppter  ejcalratioiienoftre  fideutitm  p* 
pter  reru  tempozaliu  irtcremeta:q  \io%  no  fold 
Ibifpam'a  fed  vrtiuerfa  Cbziftiattitao  eft  fuw* 
ra  pticep9»Ibecyt  gcfta  funt  fie  bzeuirer  eitar* 


Criftofo:^  Colom  (0ceane  claffie  i^:efecr* 

£pisrama.TR*}L»oe  £o:baria  Epifcopfc 
afeontifpalufi) 
2ld  3nmctilfimii  TRege  Ibifpama? 

5am  nulla  Ibifpanio  tellus  addeda  trifipbfef 

at$  paruin  tantie  yirib^/o:bi0  erat,, 
iHunc  longe  l£oie  regio  oepzeitfa  fub  vndi'0* 

Suctura  eft  tituloe  3&etice  mague  tuos* 
^Inde  repertozi  mcrito  referenda  £olubo 

(6raria:f5  fummo  eft  matoz  babeda  oeo: 
£iiti  vmcccla  parar  ttoua  rcgiia  tibiqj  ftbicp; 

Zccg  firoiU  fo:tcm  p:eftat  i  effe  pium* 


©ranatat 


TRANSLATION. 


THE   DISCOVERED   ISLANDS. 

Letter  of  Christopher  Columbus,  to  whom  our  age 
owes  much,  concerning  the  islands  recently  discovered 
in  the  Indian  sea.1  For  the  search  of  which,  eight 
months  before,  he  was  sent  under  the  auspices  and  at 
the  cost  of  the  most  invincible  Ferdinand,  king  of 
Spain.2  Addressed  to  the  magnificent  lord  Raphael 
Sanxis,3  treasurer  of  the  same  most  illustrious  king,  and 
which  the  noble  and  learned  man  Leander  de  Cosco 
has  translated  from  the  Spanish  language  into  Latin, 
on  the  third  of  the  kalends  of  May,4  1493,  the  first 
year  of  the  pontificate  of  Alexander  the  Sixth. 

E CAUSE  my  undertakings  have  attained  suc 
cess,  I  know  that  it  will  be  pleasing  to  you : 
these  I  have  determined  to  relate,  so  that 
you  may  be  made  acquainted  with  everything  done 
and  discovered  in  this  our  voyage.  On  the  thirty-third 
day  after  I  departed  from  Cadiz,5  I  came  to  the  In 
dian  sea,  where  I  found  many  islands  inhabited  by 

1  In  the  other  editions  this  part  of  the  sentence  reads :    "  concerning  the  is 
lands  of  India  beyond  the  Ganges,  recently  discovered." 

2  The  name  of  Isabella  (Helisabet)  is  also  omitted  in  the  title  of  one  of 
Plannck's  editions ;  it  is  found  in  the  two  other  Roman  editions. 

3  The  correct  form  is  Gabriel  Sanchez. 

4  April  29th. 

5  A  mistake  of  the  Latin  translator.     Columbus  sailed  from  Palos  on  the  3d 
of  August,  1492  ;  on  the  8th  of  September  he  left  the  Canaries,  and  on  the  nth 
of  October,  or  thirty-three  days  later,  he  reached  the  Bahamas. 


2  TRANSLATION. 

men  without  number,  of  all  which  I  took  possession 
for  our  most  fortunate  king,  with  proclaiming  heralds 
and  flying  standards,  no  one  objecting.  To  the  first 
of  these  I  gave  the  name  of  the  blessed  Saviour,1 
on  whose  aid  relying  I  had  reached  this  as  well  as 
the  other  islands.  But  the  Indians  call  it  Guana- 
hany.  I  also  called  each  one  of  the  others  by  a  new 
name.  For  I  ordered  one  island  to  be  called  Santa 
Maria  of  the  Conception,2  another  Fernandina,3  an 
other  Isabella,4  another  Juana,5  and  so  on  with  the 
rest.  As  soon  as  we  had  arrived  at  that  island  which 
I  have  just  now  said  was  called  Juana,  I  proceeded 
along  its  coast  towards  the  west  for  some  distance;  I 
found  it  so  large  and  without  perceptible  end,  that 
I  believed  it  to  be  not  an  island,  but  the  continental 
country  of  Cathay;6  seeing,  however,  no  towns  or 
cities  situated  on  the  sea-coast,  but  only  some  villages 
and  rude  farms,  with  whose  inhabitants  I  was  unable 
to  converse,  because  as  soon  as  they  saw  us  they  took 
flight.  I  proceeded  farther,  thinking  that  I  would  dis 
cover  some  city  or  large  residences.  At  length,  per 
ceiving  that  we  had  gone  far  enough,  that  nothing 
new  appeared,  and  that  this  way  was  leading  us  to  the 
north,  which  I  wished  to  avoid,  because  it  was  winter 

1  In  Spanish,  San  Salvador,  one  of  the  Bahama  islands.     It  has  been  vari 
ously  identified  with  Grand  Turk,  Cat,  Watling,  Mariguana,   Samana,  and 
Acklin  islands.     Watling's  Island  seems  to  have  much  in  its  favor. 

2  Perhaps  Crooked  Island,  or,  according  to  others,  North  Caico. 

3  Identified  by  some  with  Long  Island ;  by  others  with  Little  Inagua. 

4  Identified  variously  with  Fortune  Island  and  Great  Inagua. 
6  The  island  of  Cuba. 

6  China. 


TRANSLATION.  3 

on  the  land,  and  it  was  my  intention  to  go  to  the  south, 
moreover  the  winds  were  becoming  violent,  I  therefore 
determined  that  no  other  plans  were  practicable,  and 
so,  going  back,  I  returned  to  a  certain  bay  that  I  had 
noticed,  from  which  I  sent  two  of  our  men  to  the  land, 
that  they  might  find  out  whether  there  was  a  king  in 
this  country,  or  any  cities.  These  men  traveled  for 
three  days,  and  they  found  people  and  houses  without 
number,  but  they  were  small  and  without  any  govern 
ment,  therefore  they  returned.  Now  in  the  meantime 
I  had  learned  from  certain  Indians,  whom  I  had 
seized  there,  that  this  country  was  indeed  an  island, 
and  therefore  I  proceeded  towards  the  east,  keeping 
all  the  time  near  the  coast,  for  322  miles,  to  the  ex 
treme  ends  of  this  island.  From  this  place  I  saw 
another  island  to  the  east,  distant  from  this  Juana 
54  miles,  which  I  called  forthwith  Hispana;1  and  I 
sailed  to  it ;  and  I  steered  along  the  northern  coast,  as 
at  Juana,  towards  the  east,  564  miles.  And  the  said 
Juana  and  the  other  islands  there  appear  very  fertile. 
This  island  is  surrounded  by  many  very  safe  and  wide 
harbors,  not  excelled  by  any  others  that  I  have  ever 
seen.  Many  great  and  salubrious  rivers  flow  through 
it.  There  are  also  many  very  high  mountains  there. 
All  these  islands  are  very  beautiful,  and  distinguished 
by  various  qualities;  they  are  accessible,  and  full  of  a 
great  variety  of  trees  stretching  up  to  the  stars;  the 
leaves  of  which  I  believe  are  never  shed,  for  I  saw  them 
as  green  and  flourishing  as  they  are  usually  in  Spain 

1  Hispaniola,  or  Hayti. 


4  TRANSLATION. 

in  the  month  of  May;  some  of  them  were  blossoming, 
some  were  bearing  fruit,  some  were  in  other  condi 
tions;  each  one  was  thriving  in  its  own  way.  The 
nightingale  and  various  other  birds  without  number 
were  singing,  in  the  month  of  November,  when  I  was 
exploring  them.  There  are  besides  in  the  said  island 
Juana  seven  or  eight  kinds  of  palm  trees,  which  far 
excel  ours  in  height  and  beauty,  just  as  all  the  other 
trees,  herbs,  and  fruits  do.  There  are  also  excellent 
pine  trees,  vast  plains  and  meadows,  a  variety  of  birds, 
a  variety  of  honey,  and  a  variety  of  metals,  excepting 
iron.  In  the  one  which  was  called  Hispana,  as  we 
said  above,  there  are  great  and  beautiful  mountains, 
vast  fields,  groves,  fertile  plains,  very  suitable  for 
planting  and  cultivating,  and  for  the  building  of  houses. 
The  convenience  of  the  harbors  in  this  island,  and  the 
remarkable  number  of  rivers  contributing  to  the  health- 
fulness  of  man,  exceed  belief,  unless  one  has  seen  them. 
The  trees,  pasturage,  and  fruits  of  this  island  differ 
greatly  from  those  of  Juana.  This  Hispana,  moreover, 
abounds  in  different  kinds  of  spices,  in  gold,  and  in 
metals.  On  this  island,  indeed,  and  on  all  the  others 
which  I  have  seen,  and  of  which  I  have  knowledge, 
the  inhabitants  of  both  sexes  go  always  naked,  just  as 
they  came  into  the  world,  except  some  of  the  women, 
who  use  a  covering  of  a  leaf  or  some  foliage,  or  a 
cotton  cloth,  which  they  make  themselves  for  that  pur 
pose.  All  these  people  lack,  as  I  said  above,  every 
kind  of  iron;  they  are  also  without  weapons,  which 
indeed  are  unknown;  nor  are  they  competent  to  use 


TRANSLATION.  5 

them,  not  on  account  of  deformity  of  body,  for  they 
are  well  formed,  but  because  they  are  timid  and  full  of 
fear.  They  carry  for  weapons,  however,  reeds  baked 
in  the  sun,  on  the  lower  ends  of  which  they  fasten 
some  shafts  of  dried  wood  rubbed  down  to  a  point; 
and  indeed  they  do  not  venture  to  use  these  always; 
for  it  frequently  happened  when  I  sent  two  or  three  of 
my  men  to  some  of  the  villages,  that  they  might  speak 
with  the  natives,  a  compact  troop  of  the  Indians  would 
march  out,  and  as  soon  as  they  saw  our  men  approach 
ing,  they  would  quickly  take  flight,  children  being 
pushed  aside  by  their  fathers,  and  fathers  by  their 
children.  And  this  was  not  because  any  hurt  or  injury 
had  been  inflicted  on  any  one  of  them,  for  to  every 
one  whom  I  visited  and  with  whom  I  was  able  to 
converse,  I  distributed  whatever  I  had,  cloth  and 
many  other  things,  no  return  being  made  to  me;  but 
they  are  by  nature  fearful  and  timid.  Yet  when  they 
perceive  that  they  are  safe,  putting  aside  all  fear,  they 
are  of  simple  manners  and  trustworthy,  and  very  lib 
eral  with  everything  they  have,  refusing  no  one  who 
asks  for  anything  they  may  possess,  and  even  them 
selves  inviting  us  to  ask  for  things.  They  show  greater 
love  for  all  others  than  for  themselves;  they  give  val 
uable  things  for  trifles,  being  satisfied  even  with  a  very 
small  return,  or  with  nothing;  however,  I  forbade  that 
things  so  small  and  of  no  value  should  be  given  to 
them,  such  as  pieces  of  plates,  dishes  and  glass,  like 
wise  keys  and  shoe-straps;  although  if  they  were  able 
to  obtain  these,  it  seemed  to  them  like  getting  the  most 


6  TRANSLATION. 

• 

beautiful  jewels  in  the  world.  It  happened,  indeed, 
that  a  certain  sailor  obtained  in  exchange  for  a  shoe- 
strap  as  much  worth  of  gold  as  would  equal  three 
golden  coins;  and  likewise  other  things  for  articles  of 
very  little  value,  especially  for  new  silver  coins,  and 
for  some  gold  coins,  to  obtain  which  they  gave  what 
ever  the  seller  desired,  as  for  instance  an  ounce  and  a 
half  and  two  ounces  of  gold,  or  thirty  and  forty  pounds 
of  cotton,  with  which  they  were  already  acquainted. 
They  also  traded  cotton  and  gold  for  pieces  of  bows, 
bottles,  jugs  and  jars,  like  persons  without  reason, 
which  I  forbade  because  it  was  very  wrong;  and  I 
gave  to  them  many  beautiful  and  pleasing  things  that 
I  had  brought  with  me,  no  value  being  taken  in  ex 
change,  in  order  that  I  might  the  more  easily  make 
them  friendly  to  me,  that  they  might  be  made  wor 
shippers  of  Christ,  and  that  they  might  be  full  of  love 
towards  our  king,  queen,  and  prince,  and  the  whole 
Spanish  nation;  also  that  they  might  be  zealous  to 
search  out  and  collect,  and  deliver  to  us  those  things 
of  which  they  had  plenty,  and  which  we  greatly  needed. 
These  people  practice  no  kind  of  idolatry;  on  the  con 
trary  they  firmly  believe  that  all  strength  and  power, 
and  in  fact  all  good  things  are  in  heaven,  and  that  I 
had  come  down  from  thence  with  these  ships  and 
sailors;  and  in  this  belief  I  was  received  there  after 
they  had  put  aside  fear.  Nor  are  they  slow  or  un 
skilled,  but  of  excellent  and  acute  understanding;  and 
the  men  who  have  navigated  that  sea  give  an  account 
of  everything  in  an  admirable  manner;  but  they  never 


TRANSLATION.  7 

saw  people  clothed,  nor  these  kind  of  ships.  As  soon 
as  I  reached  that  sea,  I  seized  by  force  several  Indians 
on  the  first  island,  in  order  that  they  might  learn  from 
us,  and  in  like  manner  tell  us  about  those  things  in 
these  lands  of  which  they  themselves  had  knowledge ; 
and  the  plan  succeeded,  for  in  a  short  time  we  under 
stood  them  and  they  us,  sometimes  by  gestures  and 
signs,  sometimes  by  words ;  and  it  was  a  great  advan 
tage  to  us.  They  are  coming  with  me  now,  yet  al 
ways  believing  that  I  descended  from  heaven,  although 
they  have  been  living  with  us  for  a  long  time,  and  are 
living  with  us  to-day.  And  these  men  were  the  first 
who  announced  it  wherever  we  landed,  continually 
proclaiming  to  the  others  in  a  loud  voice,  "Come, 
come,  and  you  will  see  the  celestial  people."  Where 
upon  both  women  and  men,  both  children  and  adults, 
both  young  men  and  old  men,  laying  aside  the  fear 
caused  a  little  before,  visited  us  eagerly,  filling  the 
road  with  a  great  crowd,  some  bringing  food,  and 
some  drink,  with  great  love  and  extraordinary  good 
will.  On  every  island  there  are  many  canoes  of  a 
single  piece  of  wood;  and  though  narrow,  yet  in 
length  and  shape  similar  to  our  row-boats,  but  swifter 
in  movement.  They  steer  only  by  oars.  Some  of 
these  boats  are  large,  some  small,  some  of  medium 
size.  Yet  they  row  many  of  the  larger  row-boats  with 
eighteen  cross-benches,  with  which  they  cross  to  all 
those  islands,  which  are  innumerable,  and  with  these 
boats  they  perform  their  trading,  and  carry  on  commerce 
among  them.  I  saw  some  of  these  row-boats  or  canoes 


8  TRANSLATION. 

which  were  carrying  seventy  and  eighty  rowers.  In  all 
these  islands  there  is  no  difference  in  the  appearance  of 
the  people,  nor  in  the  manners  and  language,  but  all 
understand  each  other  mutually;  a  fact  that  is  very 
important  for  the  end  which  I  suppose  to  be  earnestly 
desired  by  our  most  illustrious  king,  that  is,  their  con 
version  to  the  holy  religion  of  Christ,  to  which  in  truth, 
as  far  as  I  can  perceive,  they  are  very  ready  and  favor 
ably  inclined.  I  said  before  how  I  proceeded  along 
the  island  Juana  in  a  straight  line  from  west  to  east 
322  miles,  according  to  which  course  and  the  length 
of  the  way,  I  am  able  to  say  that  this  Juana  is  larger 
than  England  and  Scotland  together;  for  besides  the 
said  322  thousand  paces,  there  are  two  more  provinces 
in  that  part  which  lies  towards  the  west,  which  I  did 
not  visit ;  one  of  these  the  Indians  call  Anan,  whose 
inhabitants  are  born  with  tails.  They  extend  to  180 
miles  in  length,  as  I  have  learned  from  those  Indians  I 
have  with  me,  who  are  all  acquainted  with  these  islands. 
But  the  circumference  of  Hispana  is  greater  than  all 
Spain  from  Colonia  to  Fontarabia.1  This  is  easily 
proved,  because  its  fourth  side,  which  I  myself  passed 
along  in  a  straight  line  from  west  to  east,  extends  540 
miles.  This  island  is  to  be  desired  and  is  very  desirable, 
and  not  to  be  despised ;  in  which,  although  as  I  have 
said,  I  solemnly  took  possession  of  all  the  others  for 
our  most  invincible  king,  and  their  government  is 
entirely  committed  to  the  said  king,  yet  I  especially 
took  possession  of  a  certain  large  town,  in  a  very  con- 

1  From  Catalonia  by  the  sea-coast  to  Fontarabia  in  Biscay. 


TRANSLATION.  9 

venient  location,  and  adapted  to  all  kinds  of  gain  and 
commerce,  to  which  we  give  the  name  of  our  Lord  of 
the  Nativity.  And  I  commanded  a  fort  to  be  built 
there  forthwith,  which  must  be  completed  by  this  time ; 
in  which  I  left  as  many  men  as  seemed  necessary,  with 
all  kinds  of  arms,  and  plenty  of  food  for  more  than  a 
year.  Likewise  one  caravel,  and  for  the  construction 
of  others  men  skilled  in  this  trade  and  in  other  profes 
sions  ;  and  also  the  extraordinary  good  will  and  friend 
ship  of  the  king  of  this  island  toward  us.  For  those 
people  are  very  amiable  and  kind,  to  such  a  degree  that 
the  said  king  gloried  in  calling  me  his  brother.  And  if 
they  should  change  their  minds,  and  should  wish  to  hurt 
those  who  remained  in  the  fort,  they  would  not  be  able, 
because  they  lack  weapons,  they  go  naked,  and  are  too 
cowardly.  For  that  reason  those  who  hold  the  said 
fort  are  at  least  able  to  resist  easily  this  whole  island, 
without  any  imminent  danger  to  themselves,  so  long 
as  they  do  not  transgress  the  regulations  and  com 
mand  which  we  gave.  In  all  these  islands,  as  I  have 
understood,  each  man  is  content  with  only  one  wife, 
except  the  princes  or  kings,  who  are  permitted  to 
have  twenty.  The  women  appear  to  work  more 
than  the  men.  I  was  not  able  to  find  out  surely 
whether  they  have  individual  property,  for  I  saw  that 
one  man  had  the  duty  of  distributing  to  the  others, 
especially  refreshments,  food,  and  things  of  that  kind. 
I  found  no  monstrosities  among  them,  as  very  many 
supposed,  but  men  of  great  reverence,  and  friendly. 
Nor  are  they  black  like  the  Ethiopians.  They  have 


10  TRANSLATION. 

straight  hair,  hanging  down.  They  do  not  remain 
where  the  solar  rays  send  out  the  heat,  for  the  strength 
of  the  sun  is  very  great  here,  because  it  is  distant  from 
the  equinoctial  line,  as  it  seems,  only  twenty-six  de 
grees.  On  the  tops  of  the  mountains  too  the  cold  is 
severe,  but  the  Indians,  however,  moderate  it,  partly 
by  being  accustomed  to  the  place,  and  partly  by  the 
help  of  very  hot  victuals,  of  which  they  eat  frequently 
and  immoderately.  And  so  I  did  not  see  any  mon 
strosity,  nor  did  I  have  knowledge  of  them  any  where, 
excepting  a  certain  island  named  Charis,1  which  is  the 
second  in  passing  from  Hispana  to  India.  This  island 
is  inhabited  by  a  certain  people  who  are  considered 
very  warlike  by  their  neighbors.  These  eat  human 
flesh.  The  said  people  have  many  kinds  of  row-boats, 
in  which  they  cross  over  to  all  the  other  Indian  is 
lands,  and  seize  and  carry  away  every  thing  that  they 
can.  They  differ  in  no  way  from  the  others,  only  that 
they  wear  long  hair  like  the  women.  They  use  bows 
and  darts  made  of  reeds,  with  sharpened  shafts  fas 
tened  to  the  larger  end,  as  we  have  described.  On 
this  account  they  are  considered  warlike,  wherefore  the 
other  Indians  are  afflicted  with  continual  fear,  but  I 
regard  them  as  of  no  more  account  than  the  others. 
These  are  the  people  who  visit  certain  women,  who 
alone  inhabit  the  island  Mateunin,2  which  is  the  first 
in  passing  from  Hispana  to  India.  These  women, 
moreover,  perform  no  kind  of  work  of  their  sex,  for 
they  use  bows  and  darts,  like  those  I  have  described 

1  Identified  with  Dominica.  2  Supposed  to  be  Martinique. 


TRANSLATION.  1 1 

of  their  husbands ;  they  protect  themselves  with  sheets 
of  copper,  of  which  there  is  great  abundance  among 
them.  They  tell  me  of  another  island  greater  than  the 
aforesaid  Hispana,  whose  inhabitants  are  without  hair, 
and  which  abounds  in  gold  above  all  the  others.  I 
am  bringing  with  me  men  of  this  island  and  of  the 
others  that  I  have  seen,  who  give  proof  of  the  things 
that  I  have  described.  Finally,  that  I  may  compress 
in  few  words  the  brief  account  of  our  departure  and 
quick  return,  and  the  gain,  I  promise  this,  that  if  I  am 
supported  by  our  most  invincible  sovereigns  with  a  lit 
tle  of  their  help,  as  much  gold  can  be  supplied  as  they 
will  need,  indeed  as  much  of  spices,  of  cotton,  of  chew 
ing  gum  (which  is  only  found  in  Chios),  also  as  much 
of  aloes  wood,  and  as  many  slaves  for  the  navy,  as 
their  majesties  will  wish  to  demand.  Likewise  rhu 
barb  and  other  kinds  of  spices,  which  I  suppose  these 
men  whom  I  left  in  the  said  fort  have  already  found, 
and  will  continue  to  find;  since  I  remained  in  no 
place  longer  than  the  winds  forced  me,  except  in  the 
town  of  the  Nativity,  while  I  provided  for  the  building 
of  the  fort,  and  for  the  safety  of  all.  Which  things, 
although  they  are  very  great  and  remarkable,  yet  they 
would  have  been  much  greater,  if  I  had  been  aided 
by  as  many  ships  as  the  occasion  required.  Truly 
great  and  wonderful  is  this,  and  not  corresponding  to 
our  merits,  but  to  the  holy  Christian  religion,  and  to 
the  piety  and  religion  of  our  sovereigns,  because  what 
the  human  understanding  could  not  attain,  that  the 
divine  will  has  granted  to  human  efforts.  For  God  is 


1 2  TRANSLATION. 

wont  to  listen  to  his  servants  who  love  his  precepts, 
even  in  impossibilities,  as  has  happened  to  us  on  the 
present  occasion,  who  have  attained  that  which  hitherto 
mortal  men  have  never  reached.  For  if  any  one  has 
written  or  said  any  thing  about  these  islands,  it  was  all 
with  obscurities  and  conjectures;  no  one  claims  that 
he  had  seen  them ;  from  which  they  seemed  like  fables. 
Therefore  let  the  king  and  queen,  the  princes  and  their 
most  fortunate  kingdoms,  and  all  other  countries  of 
Christendom  give  thanks  to  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  who  has  bestowed  upon  us  so  great  a 
victory  and  gift.  Let  religious  processions  be  solem 
nized  ;  let  sacred  festivals  be  given ;  let  the  churches  be 
covered  with  festive  garlands.  Let  Christ  rejoice  on 
earth,  as  he  rejoices  in  heaven,  when  he  foresees  com 
ing  to  salvation  so  many  souls  of  people  hitherto  lost. 
Let  us  be  glad  also,  as  well  on  account  of  the  exalta 
tion  of  our  faith,  as  on  account  of  the  increase  of  our 
temporal  affairs,  of  which  not  only  Spain,  but  universal 
Christendom  will  be  partaker.  These  things  that  have 
been  done  are  thus  briefly  related.  Farewell.  Lisbon, 
the  day  before  the  ides  of  March.1 

Christopher  Columbus,  admiral  of  the  Ocean  fleet. 


1  March  i4th,  1493. 


TRANSLATION.  13 

Epigram  of  R.  L.  de  Corbaria,  bishop  of  Monte 
Peloso. 

To  the  most  invincible  King  of  Spain. 

No  region  now  can  add  to  Spain's  great  deeds : 

To  such  men  all  the  world  is  yet  too  small. 
An  Orient  land,  found  far  beyond  the  waves, 

Will  add,  great  Betica,  to  thy  renown. 
Then  to  Columbus,  the  true  finder,  give 

Due  thanks ;  but  greater  still  to  God  on  high ; 
Who  makes  new  kingdoms  for  himself  and  thee : 

Both  firm  and  pious  let  thy  conduct  be. 


OK  IS 


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